ASSESSMENT OF WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL OF TROMBAY, MUMBAI (19.1-DEGREES-N, 72.8-DEGREES-E), INDIA

This paper presents the results of the analysis of wind speed data for one calendar year (1995) at Trombay Hill top station (about 300 m abo ve mean sea level (MSL)) along with the wind energy potential of the s ite. Seasonal and diurnal trends in the monthly averaged hourly totals of wind energy estimated from observed wind speeds at the site are es tablished. The frequency distribution of observed hourly wind speeds o ccurring at the station, especially for wind speeds greater than or eq ual to 2.2 and 3.0 m/s (cut-in speed of a typical low and medium power wind mill respectively) is examined. Altitudinal differences in the w ind energy potential are also discussed in relation to similar results at another lower elevation location, Training school station (about 6 0 m above MSL) in Trombay. The study reveals that a low and medium pow er wind mill can be operated at the sire with an annual availability f actor of about 76% and 57%, respectively. The period from March to Aug ust could be more suitable for its operation because of the larger mon thly availability factor during this period compared to the September to February period. The annual range of the estimated hourly total of wind energy is from 1.9 x 10(3) J.m(-2) to 7.1 x 10(5) J.m(-2) with an average of 9.5 x 10(4) J.m(-2). Also, the annual availability factor for the higher altitude location is larger by about 23% and 28% compar ed to that at the lower elevation location at the same site for low an d medium power wind mill operation respectively. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.